Goa’s tableaux missing in action on R-Day
India recently celebrated its 75th Republic Day with a grand display of its women prowess and military might that included elite marching contingents, missiles and other modern weaponry gadgets, in the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, who was the chief guest at the occasion. However, many Goans who were hoping to see Goa’s tableaux in action were disappointed as the State failed to get a participation slot.
The tableaux serve as a platform for showing the creativity and innovation of the artists, designers and craftsmen involved in their making. Goa’s renowned artist Sushant Khedekar, the man behind showcasing Goa’s glory, must be a disappointed man. This has happened for the second year in a row. In fact, the Goa float at the Republic Day has gained much admiration from spectators and the State has won prizes in the past. Hope Goa comes out with something better to showcase its glory next year.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Penalise drivers using high beam lights
All vehicles, including two-wheelers, have two types of headlights. They are high-beam and low-beam headlights.
Both have their own pros and cons. High-beam lights can illuminate the road surface ranging from a distance of 90 to 150 m and illuminate a distance in front of the car ranging from 150 to 500 m. High-beams should only be used when the road is dark and there are no on-coming vehicles or no vehicle in front. They enable clearer view at night and also for zones where light sources are scarce, with lower traffic as well.
This means that low-beam headlights should be used in case any vehicle is within 200 meters of the car and moving in the opposite direction. However drivers mostly keep using high-beam headlights. High-beams point straight ahead, while low-beams are angled down towards the road.
The practice of using high-beam headlights unnecessarily can be disruptive and dangerous for other drivers, as it can blind them and make it difficult to see the road ahead. Several accidents probably take place due to the use of high-beam lights.
As per Sec 360(3) r/w 177 of the Motor Vehicle Act, the traffic police can impose a fine if any vehicle is seen needlessly using high-beams. This rule needs to be implemented in the state. Divers need to be alert and change from high-beam to low-beam as and when required. Use of high-beam headlights should be an exception rather than the rule.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Beach vigil app is the need of the hour
The state government has introduced ‘Beach Vigil App’, as revealed in certain section of media outlets. Obviously, it’s going to be a great initiative as beach atrocities are increasing in Goa. As it is learnt that the time duration to solve the beach related issues will be 2 hours, from the accurate time of complaint, except for cases pertaining to 6 pm and 8 am.
Hopefully, this will bring down the adverse effects of alcohol abuse that’s frequently happening on beaches. Henceforth, the beach gets littered everywhere with broken pieces of bottles. Moreover, surprise visits of turtles during the nesting season will definitely receive quick attention and prompt help. Furthermore, we have several hawkers who create nuisance to the tourists on the beaches across Goa.
Timely complaint on the said app can save tourists, especially the foreigners from such type of nightmarish experience. However, if anyone is drunk and venture into the sea, than it can be traced by someone present at the venue and do the needful on the said app.
Zealously, the presence of the said app should be made known to the general public through print and visual media.
However, the tourists can be educated regarding the same through notice boards or hoardings installed at airports/hotels and other locations frequently visited by them.
Definitely, such type of innovative schemes will empower the tourism industry, and bring back the lost glory.
Joseph Savio Desouza, Candolim
Djokovic can’t be written off
Novak Djokovic has bowed out of the Australian open in the semifinals, and although his 33-match winning streak has come to a grinding halt, the world number one cannot be, by any means, written off. As evidenced throughout the Australian open, Djokovic was hardly near his best and appears to have been troubled with the niggling right wrist injury and was seen flexing his wrist quite often.
As the Serbian himself admitted, the match against Jannik Sinner was perhaps one of the worst in over 400 grand slams he has played. Friday was a forgettable outing for the 36-year-old who was outplayed by a man 14 years younger.
Though the 24-grand slam winner provided a glimmer of hope to his countless fans after the third set tie-breaker win, and seemed pumped up, it was Sinner’s day on the Road Laver arena as he handed Djokovic his first loss in 11 semifinals at Melbourne.
It was unlike Djokovic who committed 54 unforced errors in the three and a half hour marathon tennis match. By the look of things, Djokovic is far from finished. He looked firm and resolute in the post-match press conference, he was neither too modest nor did he sound cocky. Before the defeat to Sinner, there was unanimity about Djokovic being almost unbeatable. That’s not going to change with one loss. However, the next year should be crucial for him to turn things around.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
